Dave Parker, Hall of Famer and former MVP, passes away at 74

mlb.com ^ | 06/28/2025 | Adam Berry

[DFG]

One of the best right-field throwing arms in mlb history in his prime.

[dfwgator]

Game Called by Grantland Rice

Game Called.
Across the field of play
the dusk has come, the hour is late.
The fight is done and lost or won,
the player files out through the gate.
The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed,
the stands are bare, the park is still.
But through the night there shines the light,
home beyond the silent hill.

Game Called.
Where in the golden light
the bugle rolled the reveille.
The shadows creep where night falls deep,
and taps has called the end of play.
The game is done, the score is in,
the final cheer and jeer have passed.
But in the night, beyond the fight,
the player finds his rest at last.

Game Called.
Upon the field of life
the darkness gathers far and wide,
the dream is done, the score is spun
that stands forever in the guide.
Nor victory, nor yet defeat
is chalked against the players name.
But down the roll, the final scroll,
shows only how he played the game.

[wardaddy]

Strong

[Mariner]

As strong an arm as Jay Buhner?

[irishjuggler]

Great player. IIRC he had a bit of an affinity for the nose candy at one point, though.

[Dr. Sivana]

One of the best right-field throwing arms in mlb history in his prime.

The All-Star game used to be a big deal. Outside of the World Series, it was the only time that AL played against NL during the regular season. Bragging rights were important then.

Parker's strike to Home Plate from Right Field is one of the greatest I'd seen. The announcer at the time gave more credit to the catcher, but the throw made the play at the plate possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PH6XJypKno



After fracturing his cheekbone during a collision at home plate in June 1978, Parker missed a handful of games then came back wearing a black-and-yellow hockey goalie’s mask at the plate.

I saw that Pirates-Mets game. The Catcher was John Stearns, a very good catcher on a very bad team. He also played linebacker in college if I recall. Anyway, irresistible force meets immovable object. Stearns won that one. Baseball was so much better then.

[Salvavida]

We Are Family. Thanks for the memories, Dave. RIP.

[dfwgator]

Baseball was so much better then.

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Other than for the artificial turf and cookie-cutter stadiums.

[Luke21]

Pete Rose would often identify Parker as his favorite player. Pete once said in my presence, “I just like him.”

[jjotto]

Sensational arm no doubt. Probably not as much appreciated as he should be because of throwing errors. Still the best of his era. RIP

[Dr. Sivana]

Other than for the artificial turf and cookie-cutter stadiums.

Wrigley had no lights, Fenway wasn't expanded. Expos Field and Jarry Park were so bad they were amusing.

I would accept the astro turf and cookie cutter stadiums in exchange for NO interleague play, no wild cards, more day baseball, local team announcers available on local channel for ALCS/NLCS/WS if your team makes it, much less steroid use, collisions at home plate, no DH in the NL, complete games, knuckle balls, free TV OTA broadcasts, Rick Monday, Davey Lopes, Reggie Smith, Manny Mota, Billy Martin, Brewers in AL, Astros in NL.

I know if you go back a few more years, it was better still, but I wasn't old enough then to remember.

[Dr. Franklin]

I saw that Pirates-Mets game. The Catcher was John Stearns, a very good catcher on a very bad team. He also played linebacker in college if I recall. Anyway, irresistible force meets immovable object. Stearns won that one. Baseball was so much better then.

Parker bowled over Phillies catcher Johnny Oates April 10, 1976, and broke Oats' collar bone. Oates missed about two months on the DL. When he tried to do the same to Stearns, Parker broke his cheek bone. Stearns was a safety at Colorado State where his nick name was "bad dude". He went through the Phillies farm system where he was taught how to block home plate by former Phillies catcher Andy Seminick. Stearns played one game for the Phillies before being traded to the Mets in the Tug McGraw deal. I don't think Parker tried running over catchers again after he collided with Stearns. Parker was a power hitter and had a strong arm in right field. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, although I remember Steve Carlton used to own him. Carlton owned a lot of hitters through out his career.

[dfwgator]

Expos Field and Jarry Park were so bad they were amusing.

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The only thing I remember was the PA Announcer going “John Boc-A-Bellllla!”

[Hyman Roth]

Loved the Cobra. If he wasn’t a coke head he would have been Top 5. Strong. Bye Cobra.

[dfwgator]

Who wasn’t using coke in the 70s?

[cowboyusa]

Great ballplayer

[Hyman Roth]

Keith Hernandez. /s

[dfwgator]

Keith Hernandez. /s

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“THAT is one magic loogie!”

[DIRTYSECRET]

Al Oliver, Willie Stargell and Dave Parker. Pirates. Left handed hitters all very good.

[CommerceComet]

As strong an arm as Jay Buhner?

Yes, I would say that they are pretty comparable. Very good arms but neither are at the Roberto Clemente or Ellis Valentine level.